WRC Rally Mexico
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By: Matt Beer
Summary
Status: Stopped
Nine-time world champion Sebastien Loeb marked his return to the series with a sensational performance on Saturday. The Frenchman took two stage wins and briefly led the event before suffering a puncture on SS14.
Sebastien Ogier is your leader after claiming four stage wins on Saturday.
Nearest challenger Kris Meeke is over half a minute in arrears but could have been closer had he not spun on three stages.
But the biggest story of the weekend has been...LOEB!
Nearest challenger Kris Meeke is over half a minute in arrears but could have been closer had he not spun on three stages.
But the biggest story of the weekend has been...LOEB!
Here's a look at how things stand before the final loop:
SS19
1 Mikkelsen
2 Ogier 0.1
3 Lappi +0.1
4 Neuville +0.5
5 Suninen +0.5
6 Latvala +0.8
7 Meele +0.8
8 Loeb +1.4
9 Rovanpera +2.4
10 Tidemand +2.5
Overall after SS19:
1 Ogier
2 Meeke +35.9
3 Sordo +46.8
4 Mikkelsen +1.28.4
5 Loeb +2.19.7
6 Neuville +4.44.6
7 Tidemand +9.24.2
8 Greensmith +15.06.6
9 Latvala +15.59.6
10 Heller +21.43.0
SS19
1 Mikkelsen
2 Ogier 0.1
3 Lappi +0.1
4 Neuville +0.5
5 Suninen +0.5
6 Latvala +0.8
7 Meele +0.8
8 Loeb +1.4
9 Rovanpera +2.4
10 Tidemand +2.5
Overall after SS19:
1 Ogier
2 Meeke +35.9
3 Sordo +46.8
4 Mikkelsen +1.28.4
5 Loeb +2.19.7
6 Neuville +4.44.6
7 Tidemand +9.24.2
8 Greensmith +15.06.6
9 Latvala +15.59.6
10 Heller +21.43.0
Championship leader Thierry Neuville was first on the road on Friday and Saturday but the Hyundai man's weekend was hampered by more serious concerns.
The Belgian suffered a loss of fuel pressure on SS5 before a power steering failure struck later in the day.
He had a scrappy Saturday but remains in the points in sixth place.
The Belgian suffered a loss of fuel pressure on SS5 before a power steering failure struck later in the day.
He had a scrappy Saturday but remains in the points in sixth place.
This weekend has been full of drama, with many of the leading runners hitting problems, not least the luckless Toyota Gazoo Racing team.
The Yarris WRC suffered from engine overheating issues on the opening day which forced them to switch off the Anit-Lag System, resulting in a significant power loss for Ott Tanak, Jari-Matti Latvala and Esapekka Lappi.
Lappi had a slow-speed off on SS7 while Latvala's alternator failed on the road section after SS8.
Tanak had been challenging leaders Sordo and Loeb but he too was sidelined, this time with a turbo problem.
All three return for a shot at Power Stage points today.
The Yarris WRC suffered from engine overheating issues on the opening day which forced them to switch off the Anit-Lag System, resulting in a significant power loss for Ott Tanak, Jari-Matti Latvala and Esapekka Lappi.
Lappi had a slow-speed off on SS7 while Latvala's alternator failed on the road section after SS8.
Tanak had been challenging leaders Sordo and Loeb but he too was sidelined, this time with a turbo problem.
All three return for a shot at Power Stage points today.
Welcome to our live coverage of the final day of Rally Mexico.
It's a short day ahead of us today, with SS20 (Alfaro) up first and then two passes of Las Minas, the second of which will be the Power Stage.
It's a short day ahead of us today, with SS20 (Alfaro) up first and then two passes of Las Minas, the second of which will be the Power Stage.
It's another stage win for Loeb, his third of the rally which moves him into the lead.
SS11
1 Loeb
2 Ogier +4.3
3 Meeke +8.4
4 Sordo +12.3
5 Lappi +12.6
6 Latvala +19.9
7 Suninen +26.9
8 Mikkelsen +27.4
9 Neuville +1.06.3
10 Tanak +2.46.4
Overall after SS11:
1 Loeb
2 Sordo +5.1
3 Meeke +26.2
4 Ogier +27.3
5 Mikkelsen +51.9
6 Tanak +2.50.2
7 Neuville +3.58.4
8 Tidemand +6.04.7
9 Greensmith +9.5.6
10 Latvala +15.18.8
SS11
1 Loeb
2 Ogier +4.3
3 Meeke +8.4
4 Sordo +12.3
5 Lappi +12.6
6 Latvala +19.9
7 Suninen +26.9
8 Mikkelsen +27.4
9 Neuville +1.06.3
10 Tanak +2.46.4
Overall after SS11:
1 Loeb
2 Sordo +5.1
3 Meeke +26.2
4 Ogier +27.3
5 Mikkelsen +51.9
6 Tanak +2.50.2
7 Neuville +3.58.4
8 Tidemand +6.04.7
9 Greensmith +9.5.6
10 Latvala +15.18.8
Lappi is through the stage now in ninth place. The Finn is in Rally2 today after his SS7 accident yesterday.
Incidentally, Lappi binned it when he was in road mode, claiming it was "one of the slowest crashes I've had,. Maybe 30kph."
Incidentally, Lappi binned it when he was in road mode, claiming it was "one of the slowest crashes I've had,. Maybe 30kph."
Sordo complaining of brake problems and a slippery stage as the reason for his loss of time.
The Spaniard needs to bounce back quickly if he is to get the lead back.
The Spaniard needs to bounce back quickly if he is to get the lead back.
Here comes Sordo. What's his time?
He's fourth fastest on the stage, losing 12s to Loeb. He now trails the Frenchman by 5.1s
SEBASTIEN LOEB LEADS RALLY MEXICO!!
It's like he never left!
He's fourth fastest on the stage, losing 12s to Loeb. He now trails the Frenchman by 5.1s
SEBASTIEN LOEB LEADS RALLY MEXICO!!
It's like he never left!
Right then, Loeb through the stage and he is 4.3s faster than Ogier!
Fantastic pace from the legend. He's in good spirits and could be posied to take the lead of the rally! Incredible.
Leader Sordo is slower by around 8s at the splits than Loeb.
Fantastic pace from the legend. He's in good spirits and could be posied to take the lead of the rally! Incredible.
Leader Sordo is slower by around 8s at the splits than Loeb.
Tanak has finished the stage but what has happened?
"I don't know. We have maybe 20hp!"
Definitely engine related then but we're not sure if it is the same issue his team-mates suffered from so badly yesterday.
"I don't know. We have maybe 20hp!"
Definitely engine related then but we're not sure if it is the same issue his team-mates suffered from so badly yesterday.
Looks like Tanak has also been off the road somewhere.
There is some red tape flailing on top of the Yarris.
Argh the frustration as Tanak is limping home
This has not been a good rally for Toyota.
There is some red tape flailing on top of the Yarris.
Argh the frustration as Tanak is limping home
This has not been a good rally for Toyota.
UH OH TANAK SLOW!
There's a problem for Toyota yet again. Tanak was running third but will drop out of the podium hunt after this stage.
No indication yet as to the precise issue but the Estonian is down to crawling speed
There's a problem for Toyota yet again. Tanak was running third but will drop out of the podium hunt after this stage.
No indication yet as to the precise issue but the Estonian is down to crawling speed
Ogier is putting in some impressive times and beats Mikkelsen by a massive 23.1s to take the fastest time of the day.
He's also taken a fair chunk out of Meeke too. Can the French maestro break into the podium fight?
He's also taken a fair chunk out of Meeke too. Can the French maestro break into the podium fight?
Mikkelsen down 7s on Latvala. Not ideal from the Norwegian, especially with Ogier further back in the running order.
A miscommunication on pace-notes leaves Mikkelsen braking on a fast straight which may prove costly.
A miscommunication on pace-notes leaves Mikkelsen braking on a fast straight which may prove costly.
Latvala faster than Neuville by 1m43.8.
The Finn's vision certainly hampered by Neuville's dust-kicking antics in front of him. Latvala now edging closer to a return to the top 10 with that time.
The Finn's vision certainly hampered by Neuville's dust-kicking antics in front of him. Latvala now edging closer to a return to the top 10 with that time.
Neuville through the stage with a 2m12.36.
What does he have to say?
"It took more than a minute to start the engine again and then we had a slow puncture for the last 7km."
It may be baking hot in Mexico but when it rains, it pours for Neuville.
What does he have to say?
"It took more than a minute to start the engine again and then we had a slow puncture for the last 7km."
It may be baking hot in Mexico but when it rains, it pours for Neuville.
But here comes Tanak! Rapid start from the Estonian who beats Ogier by 2.4s at the first split.
Road conditions almost perfect for the Toyota driver. Expect a decent time from Tanak incident-permitting.
Road conditions almost perfect for the Toyota driver. Expect a decent time from Tanak incident-permitting.
Neuville slews his way through the winding gravel stretches as he approaches the end of the stage. He will be happy just to get through this test.
Ogier and Meeke now onto the stage, with the M-Sport driver fastest overall at the second split. Meeke is just 0.2s off at the first.
Ogier and Meeke now onto the stage, with the M-Sport driver fastest overall at the second split. Meeke is just 0.2s off at the first.
Unsurprisingly, Latvala bests Neuville's first split time by over a minute. Mikkelsen is less than a second slower than the Finn at the same point.
Neuville completed the 4.27km in over six minutes!
Latvala and Mikkelsen on stage now. Let's see on they get on.
Latvala and Mikkelsen on stage now. Let's see on they get on.
Neuville is back at something approaching full speed but this delay is really not what the championship leader needed.
Also potentially affected will be the Toyota of Jari-Matti Latvala, who will surely have to fight his way through the dust kicked up by Neuville.
Also potentially affected will be the Toyota of Jari-Matti Latvala, who will surely have to fight his way through the dust kicked up by Neuville.
He's at a standstill in the middle of the road.
The clock is ticking and the Hyundai finally gets back underway.
What drama at the start of day two.
The clock is ticking and the Hyundai finally gets back underway.
What drama at the start of day two.
NEUVILLE SLOWS!!
He's gone through the water splash and the i20 has suddenly lost all speed.
The Belgian's rally is going from bad to worse!
He's gone through the water splash and the i20 has suddenly lost all speed.
The Belgian's rally is going from bad to worse!
First up for the drivers today is the SS11 challenge of Guanajuatito. And who better to describe the stage than 2017 Mexico winner Kris Meeke of Citroen?
SS11 Guanajuatito (19.24 miles)
"This is one of the trickiest stages of the rally. It’s new for us, but parts of it were used in the very long stage (the 50-mile Guanajuatito test) a couple of years ago and then they’ve brought in some sections from 2011 and 2015.
"There’s a completely new section in the middle which nobody’s been on and that’s really technical in there, the road narrows right down and we cross lots of bridges. You have to be completely aware all the time – this will be a tricky start to the day. "
SS11 Guanajuatito (19.24 miles)
"This is one of the trickiest stages of the rally. It’s new for us, but parts of it were used in the very long stage (the 50-mile Guanajuatito test) a couple of years ago and then they’ve brought in some sections from 2011 and 2015.
"There’s a completely new section in the middle which nobody’s been on and that’s really technical in there, the road narrows right down and we cross lots of bridges. You have to be completely aware all the time – this will be a tricky start to the day. "
So, with the trio of Finns hitting trouble yesterday, Neuville has a rough day ahead as he will be first on the road.
Here's the running order:
Neuville
Latvala
Mikkelsen
Ogier
Meeke
Tanak
Loeb
Sordo
Lappi
Suninen
Tidemand
Greensmith
Here's the running order:
Neuville
Latvala
Mikkelsen
Ogier
Meeke
Tanak
Loeb
Sordo
Lappi
Suninen
Tidemand
Greensmith
Here's how things stand:
Overall after SS10:
1 Sordo
2 Loeb +7.2
3 Tanak +11.0
4 Meeke +25.0
5 Ogier +30.2
6 Mikkelsen +31.7
7 Neuville +2.01.9
8 Tidemand +5.05.6
9 Greensmith +8.13.0
10 Heller +12.33.8
Overall after SS10:
1 Sordo
2 Loeb +7.2
3 Tanak +11.0
4 Meeke +25.0
5 Ogier +30.2
6 Mikkelsen +31.7
7 Neuville +2.01.9
8 Tidemand +5.05.6
9 Greensmith +8.13.0
10 Heller +12.33.8
Championship leader Thierry Neuville has had a troublesome weekend so far for Hyundai. The Rally Sweden victor was first on the road all day, leaving him to sweep the roads for those behind.
A fuel pressure issues cost him plenty time on SS5 before suffering a power steering problem later in the day. Safe to say, it's not been a vintage rally for the Belgian.
A fuel pressure issues cost him plenty time on SS5 before suffering a power steering problem later in the day. Safe to say, it's not been a vintage rally for the Belgian.
Yesterday was a dramatic opening day with no less than four leading drivers retiring from the afternoon leg. Among those in strife were Elfyn Evans and co-driver Dan Barritt who suffered a high-speed roll on SS4 (Ortega).
Barritt suffered a concussion from the crash and the pair are playing no further part in the rally.
His M-Sport stable-mate Teemu Suninen slid into an armco barrier on SS7 (El Chocolate 2) and damaged the cooling of his Fiesta WRC.
Toyota had a nightmare for two of its drivers: first Esapekka Lappi crashed his Yarris WRC before team-mate Jari-Matti Latvala was sidelined with an alternator failure which ruled him out for the day.
Lappi, Suninen and Latvala will run again today, with Evans and Barritt the only DNFs so far.
Barritt suffered a concussion from the crash and the pair are playing no further part in the rally.
His M-Sport stable-mate Teemu Suninen slid into an armco barrier on SS7 (El Chocolate 2) and damaged the cooling of his Fiesta WRC.
Toyota had a nightmare for two of its drivers: first Esapekka Lappi crashed his Yarris WRC before team-mate Jari-Matti Latvala was sidelined with an alternator failure which ruled him out for the day.
Lappi, Suninen and Latvala will run again today, with Evans and Barritt the only DNFs so far.
Welcome to our live coverage of day two of Rally Mexico, the third round of the World Rally Championship.
Not quite as much as 2017 Rally Mexico victor Kris Meeke, who took his anger out on a couple of plant pots on the Leon Street Satge (SS5)! Two spins for Meeke on SS7 and SS8 mean the Northern Irishman dropped to fourth behind Ott Tanak
His Hyundai team-mate Dani Sordo leads the rally heading into day two but it is the Spainiard's former Citroen buddy, and series returnee Sebastien Loeb who has caused quite a stir! The nine-time champion lies just under eight seconds off the lead after two stage wins on Friday.
Championship leader Thierry Neuville has had a troublesome weekend so far for Hyundai. The Rally Sweden victor was first on the road all day, leaving him to sweep the roads for those behind. A fuel pressure issues cost him plenty time on SS5 before suffering a power steering problem later in the day. Safe to say, it's not been a vintage rally for the Belgian.
t.co/4mtErsHpEJ"/>It was definitely not an easy day for us and we need to get over it. We have to retire after SS8 due to an alternator failure 😔. I'm feeling really down right now but I'm sure that tomorrow will be kinder so, let's focus on this! 💪 #RallyMexico #WRC #TOYOTA t.co/4mtErsHpEJ
Welcome to our live coverage of day two of Rally Mexico, the third round of the World Rally Championship. Yesterday was a dramatic opening day with no less than four leading drivers retiring from the afternoon leg. Among those in strife were Elfyn Evans and co-driver Dan Barritt who suffered a high-speed roll on SS4 (Ortega). Barritt suffered a concussion from the crash and the pair are playing no further part in the rally. His M-Sport stable-mate Teemu Suninen slid into an armco barrier on SS7 (El Chocolate 2) and damaged the cooling of his Fiesta WRC. Toyota had a nightmare for two of its drivers: first Esapekka Lappi crashed his Yarris WRC before team-mate Jari-Matti Latvala was sidelined with an alternator failure which ruled him out for the day. Lappi, Suninen and Latvala will run again today, with Evans and Barritt the only DNFs so far.
We're suffering a few technical gremlins of our own here so as the drivers head straight into SS7, we'll pop off for now. Full afternoon loop report will be available following SS10 on our website later!
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